tomorrow to avoid the fiscal cliff. lisa stark has the latest. >> there is nothing like a deadline to force action. the president met with congressional leaders for the first time in six weeks and then proclaimed himself modestly optimistic. >> they are watching what we are doing here. their patience is always thin. >> with the clock running out. democratic and republican leaders in the senate will spend today trying to hash out a bipartisan agreement. >> i'm hopeful and optimistic. >> it's clear whatever happens there is no time for a grand bargain on the even tougher issues cutting spending and raising the debt ceiling. >> we're going to end up with a small, kick the can down the road bill that creates another fiscal cliff to deal with this if physical kliof. how irresponsible is that? >> and stock market burns, dropping for the fifth straight day. >> there is america and they should be working for the american people. >> parties are dying to outdo each other. >> get in the room and don't come out of that room until y